The 2020 NBA All-Star weekend festivities are set to tip-off tomorrow night. The NBA All-Star weekend is one of the most enjoyable weekends of the year for NBA fans. The league gets together to celebrate the midway point of the season with a weekend jam-packed full of superstars. This year things are no different. There have unfortunately been some snubs, as well as injuries derailing players from participating. But nonetheless, this NBA All-Star weekend will not disappoint.
All-Star Weekend Predictions
2020 NBA Rising Stars
The Rising Stars game is always a fun game to watch, as many of the future stars of the league come together in a Team USA vs. Team World format. This year, the NBA has blessed us with rookie sensations Ja Morant and Zion Williamson. They will both be competing for Team USA, along with other notable players such as Atlanta Hawks‘ star Trae Young, and Kendrick Nunn from the Miami Heat. Tyler Herro of the Heat was supposed to play as well, but since he is injured, Cleveland Cavaliers‘ guard Collin Sexton will replace him.
Team World is highlighted with Dallas Mavericks‘ superstar Luka Doncic, and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Other notable players on Team World include New York Knicks‘ rookie RJ Barrett and Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Mavericks.
A few days ago, New Orleans Pelicans‘ player Jaxson Hayes voiced his concerns with not being chosen for the Rising Stars game. He had vulgar words to say about the NBA and their decision but later apologized. Hopefully, Hayes can use the snub as fuel to improve his game.
As for a game prediction, expect there to be little-to-no defense played–just like every other game. This is NBA All-Star weekend, and fans want to see fancy alley-oops more than they want to see defense played.
While both teams have big-name players, it’s hard to go against Team USA in this matchup. Team USA seems to have far more talent on their bench units. Not to mention they have three of the most fun players to watch in the game today in Williamson, Morant, and Young.
Full Rosters
Team USA:
Miles Bridges, Wendell Carter Jr., Devonte’ Graham, Herro (injured), Jackson Jr., Morant, Nunn, Eric Paschall, Sexton, PJ Washington, Williamson, Young, Deandre Ayton (injured, replaced by Nicolo Melli).
Team World:
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Ayton, Barrett, Brandon Clarke, Doncic, Gilgeous-Alexander, Rui Hachimura, Svi Mykhailiuk, Josh Okogie, Moritz Wagner.
Skills Challenge
All-Star Saturday Night starts off with the NBA Skills Challenge. A lot of returning champions are present in this year’s challenge, including the Los Angeles Clippers‘ Patrick Beverley, the Boston Celtics‘ Jayson Tatum, and the Brooklyn Nets‘ Spencer Dinwiddie. Other participants include Bam Adebayo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Khris Middleton, Derrick Rose (injured), Domantas Sabonis, and Pascal Siakam.
This is arguably one of the best participant lineups for the Skills Challenge, as many of these players are All-Stars or had a case to be one. All of these players have the potential to take home the trophy. But, if there’s anyone to watch out for, it’s the past two champions in Dinwiddie and Tatum. These two have recently proven that they have all the right skills to win the challenge.
Three-Point Contest
This is another contest that is packed with talent. The reigning champion Joe Harris is participating, along with one of the best shooters in the game in Trae Young. Other participants include Davis Bertans, Damian Lillard (injured, Devin Booker will replace), Devonte’ Graham, Buddy Hield, Zach LaVine, and Duncan Robinson.
It’s hard to go against the reigning champion in this year’s contest. Although players such as Hield and Bertans are proven shooters in this league. Bertans isn’t to be slept on, as he is currently shooting 42.1% from the three-point line. This is the first contest in a few years without Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson, but it will still be a great showing regardless.
Slam Dunk Contest
Everyone’s favorite part of the night. The 2020 NBA All-Star weekend slam dunk contest features the Orlando Magic‘s Aaron Gordon, the Los Angeles Lakers‘ Dwight Howard, the Milwaukee Bucks‘ Pat Connaughton, and the Miami Heat’s Derrick Jones Jr.
It’s hard to go against Gordon this Saturday night. He’s still looking for his first win in the dunk contest. The consensus opinion is that he was robbed in 2016 against LaVine. He will be hungry for his first win and will be sure to bring out some spectacular dunks. A sleeper pick is Howard. Howard has revived his career with the Lakers and will be looking to put on a show for the fans.
Howard was planning on doing a dunk routine with the late Kobe Bryant.
2020 NBA All-Star Game
One of the most anticipated games of the year is finally here. In the 69th annual NBA All-Star game, LeBron James and his team will face off against Giannis Antetokounmpo and his squad. James has been a captain all three years, and Antetokounmpo is a captain for the second year in a row.
It’s obvious that Antetokounmpo’s roster is the worse roster. Although both teams are extremely talented, it seems as if James is a bit better at drafting talent. With the new All-Star game rules, it will be interesting to see how the game plays out. Talent-wise, betting against James’ team wouldn’t be the best idea. But there have been crazier things in the NBA.
Full Team Rosters
Team LeBron:
Starters: James, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, Doncic, James Harden.
Reserves: Lillard (injured, replaced by Booker), Ben Simmons, Nikola Jokic, Tatum, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Sabonis.
Team Giannis:
Starters: Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Siakam, Kemba Walker, Young.
Reserves: Middleton, Adebayo, Rudy Gobert, Kyle Lowry, Brandon Ingram, Donovan Mitchell.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
